OK, guys, I'm jumping in with 2 cents worth on the pitching. I watched Doubie a couple nights ago and he was frustrating like last year when he would get off track, "nibble" as Moon says, and throw two or three walks in a row. However, back in the day, the 60's, they used to say that pitchers weren't ready for the big show until they'd done 5-7 years in the minors. I'm for staying patient with Douby. I think he's fine now for a 4/5 starter and can improve.

Next, I've supported Aceves here but I'm losing patience with him. Maybe he's a long reliever only, maybe he's injured, or maybe like others say he's just nuts. But he just seems to be alarmingly off track and I hate us to give up games. I get having a bad game once in a while, but what's with the balks? Seems like a vet pitcher should be beyond that. I would be much more comfortable with Taz or Webster in that role, and I guess I would prefer Webster who's already stretched out and was successful in ST and his first start. After Bard, I'm not in favor of changing guys' roles once the seaston starts. If Taz is doing well now, let's keep him there. (I don't however think every pitcher is like Bard and will implode on changing roles. Taz's makeup may be different and I think he could be a starter in the future.)

Well, my boy Wright didn't do so well last night. I don't just crow when I'm right about something. Oh Moon, Eric Chavez whom I recommended a couple of years ago for us to pick up as back up infielder, DH, PH, etc. and then went on to play great for the NYY--he's having another good year for Arizona. He's the type guy who probably can't play full time, bad back, but has some good skills and veteran leadership for a team.

I would love to go to a game in Portland this summer! Maybe some other guys will be around.

Just thought of something I noticed about Mortenson the other night--he was much more herky jerky, arms and elbows, violent arm motion than I remember from last year. I immediately thought, wow, this is an injury waiting to happen. I'm definitely not a pitching authority, going on looks only, but did any of you notice this or see a concern?

Boomer, the last thing in the world I'd want to say is that RDLR isn't the real deal. But, like you said, coming off TJ surgery could make a difference. Especially for this year. This is the reason that, temporarily at least, Webster could be the guy to help out in the real near future.

As Moon has pointed out, it could all depend where we are in the thick of things later on.

In essence, it's a beautiful thing to be discussing who our next SOLID starting pitchers could be based on reality. Both guys could turn out to be gems.

Since Lackey is just really coming off TJ surgery, his control was really phenominal which was surprising because as you mentioned, control is an issue after coming back from it. I'm really hoping that his return to the starting rotation is a positive injection to the lower end of the rotation. How could it not be? I guess he's scheduled for Sunday vs Houston....

Morales has a sore pectoral and Breslow was terrible in his return. Baseball can sure be fickle.

Moon, you could use a tad more time on the left coast. I need you as a full convert with Softy, Bill and Burrito breath in full reactionary mode around here. I want you on that wall...I need you on that wall!

We can agree to disagree on Tazawa. It's not a clear cut call to me. I do see the merit of the option. I just lean to not doing it. Regarding 'all the top starters having good years, I assumed if they are healthy. No one can guarantee health.

I'm watching the game. Ortiz is not motoring like he used to. Almost just got thrown out at 2nd.

Moon, you could use a tad more time on the left coast. I need you as a full convert with Softy, Bill and Burrito breath in full reactionary mode around here. I want you on that wall...I need you on that wall!

We can agree to disagree on Tazawa. It's not a clear cut call to me. I do see the merit of the option. I just lean to not doing it. Regarding 'all the top starters having good years, I assumed if they are healthy. No one can guarantee health.

I'm watching the game. Ortiz is not motoring like he used to. Almost just got thrown out at 2nd.

I think we got a break on that second base call. He VERY easily could have been called out.

We can agree to disagree on Tazawa. It's not a clear cut call to me. I do see the merit of the option. I just lean to not doing it. Regarding 'all the top starters having good years, I assumed if they are healthy. No one can guarantee health.

I know it's not a clear call. It's risky.

My position is that unless you are a closer or have health issues that don't allow you to throw a hundred pitches+ in an outing, the pen is for guys not good enough to crack the starting rotation. I know that may be a bit old school, and with today's specialized roles for 7th and 8th inning guns, I get the importance of those slots, but having your best 5 guys going 5-7 innings every 3 days helps more than going 1 innings every other day. Now, if our SPs continue to do well and Doubie improves, there's no need to rush Taz into that role, but as I said all winter, I'd have stretched Tazawa out to a starter/long man and traded Doubront while his stock was rather high (not that it can't get much higher).

So they call up Lavarnway for Aceves. Lavarnway? I get that he is doing well in AAA. What this tells me though is that Ortiz may be back on the DL soon. Ortiz is hitting but maybe they want to rest him for a day or so until Lackey comes up. And give Lavarnway a chance to contribute. Keep him motivated and involved. It's probably only for a couple days.

So they call up Lavarnway for Aceves. Lavarnway? I get that he is doing well in AAA. What this tells me though is that Ortiz may be back on the DL soon. Ortiz is hitting but maybe they want to rest him for a day or so until Lackey comes up. And give Lavarnway a chance to contribute. Keep him motivated and involved. It's probably only for a couple days.

I know people are down on Gomes for the low BA, but his OBP is still at .381.

The only advanatge of this move is that we can PH for either catcher and not worry about a catcher injury... pretty remote.

Victorino is hurt some. But Lavarnway can't help with that. To me it is a DH play, to give Ortiz a day off and maybe play Gomes in LF against LH pitching, Nava in RF. All this for 1-2 days of PT probably.

But I think that is a good idea at least. Hopefully LAvarnway gets his groove back and takes it home from here.

Maybe it is part of a catcher trade also. Heh, it's possible. A 10% chance. Teams ask for talent all the time and maybe we feel good about our talent level at catcher. Even Vasquez has been solid recently, a real mover. And I still think Swihart is a very special talent long term.

If you've been following the minors much, there are some pretty exciting things going on down in Portland and Salem. Cechinni and Coyle are absolutely on fire, with Cechinni having a great day today against one of the top prospects in that league. He absolutely looks to be taking it to another level this year. And Coyle is restoring his status as a potential top guy. Gotta love what is happening down there.

We keep hearing about our glut at 3rd base. It may well be that as Cechinni's pop continues to increase he might end up someday as our RF.

And Bogaerts has been putting up solid numbers for 2 weeks now, getting his OPS over .800 now with a .300 average. We can't expect all these guys to consistently put up solid numbers every year but that kid seems to be doing it even as possibly the youngest player in the Eastern League. That is a lot to expect of a young kid like that. And he's a freaking SS no less.

I don't care if 90% of our minor league guys absolutely stink. I'll take a few premium studs from each team every day of the week.

Victorino is hurt some. But Lavarnway can't help with that. To me it is a DH play, to give Ortiz a day off and maybe play Gomes in LF against LH pitching, Nava in RF. All this for 1-2 days of PT probably.

But I think that is a good idea at least. Hopefully LAvarnway gets his groove back and takes it home from here.

Maybe it is part of a catcher trade also. Heh, it's possible. A 10% chance. Teams ask for talent all the time and maybe we feel good about our talent level at catcher. Even Vasquez has been solid recently, a real mover. And I still think Swihart is a very special talent long term.

Yes, maybe the Victorino injury is worse than we think, and Gomes and nava will fill the OF void.

I really don't expect Papi to miss many games from now on, but Dr. softy thinks otherwise.

So they call up Lavarnway for Aceves. Lavarnway? I get that he is doing well in AAA. What this tells me though is that Ortiz may be back on the DL soon. Ortiz is hitting but maybe they want to rest him for a day or so until Lackey comes up. And give Lavarnway a chance to contribute. Keep him motivated and involved. It's probably only for a couple days.

Just a place holder until Lackey gets back because there are no other guys on the 40-man that make any sense besides Hassan and Holt.